The Independent Media Commission (IMC) on December 4, 2023, organized a public hearing for two draft regulations: the Draft Regulation for commercial audio and audiovisual communications and the Draft Regulation for the ownership and concentration of IMC licensees. The participants in this event were representatives of various media licensed by the IMC, media organizations as well civil society organizations.

In the opening speech of this public hearing, the Chairman of the IMC, Mr. Jeton Mehmeti, said that the advancement of the framework of by-laws is aimed at protecting the public interest so that the audiovisual contents are in accordance with the law and correct. In this regard, these two draft regulations that are being discussed today are in the continuation of the intensive work that the IMC has done this year, working on the completion of four regulations. The draft regulation for audiovisual commercial communications introduces the amendment of the IMC Regulation of 2017, while the draft regulation for the ownership and concentration of IMC licensees is a new by-law and aims to establish standards related to pluralism and media diversity and transparency in media ownership, development and promotion of freedom of expression. Also, this regulation aims to preserve editorial independence and the right to objective information, defining the rules for the concentration of ownership in the media, the prevention of monopoly in the media market, the prohibition of dominance and pressure on the media, in harmony with local legislation and the best european practices.

The representatives of the IMC once again presented the drafts with the new proposals for changes as well as the public comments that the IMC has received during the 30-day period of public consultation. The draft regulations were in public consultation during the month of October, the invitation for public comments was open from October 11, 2023 to November 10, 2023 and throughout this time the interested parties had the opportunity to present their comments in writing.

After the end of the 30-day public consultation period, the IMC has reviewed all the comments and those that have been argued on a legal basis, put them in drafts and now the licensees are invited to this public hearing to once again offer their comments theirs before the regulations are approved, which according to the IMC's planning is the end of this year.

During the discussion, the participants had the opportunity to present their positions and opinions regarding the draft regulations, as well as to give their comments and suggestions on certain points.

At the end of the meeting, the IMC informed the parties present that in the continuation of the work on the draft regulations, the IMC will take into account all the remarks and proposals and comments based and legally argued, which were also presented during the public hearing.